‘People were screaming': NI Liverpool fans react to ‘shocking' car incident during victory parade
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving, following the incident which occurred on Water Street in the city centre on Monday at around 6pm during the street celebrations for Liverpool FC winning the 2024/25 Premier League.
Merseyside Police said it believed the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a roadblock was temporarily lifted. The force is not treating it as terrorism-related.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill said there were a total of 65 confirmed casualties. More than 50 people were treated in different hospitals, where 11 people remained on Tuesday afternoon in a stable condition.
One Belfast woman who was at the scene of the incident with her partner said that she saw 'lots of kids walking with their parents' and then heard 'the screams of people'.
'I've never witnessed anything so bad,' she continued, adding that she 'had no idea how bad it was' as she and her partner 'ran to safety'.
'It was a fantastic day, although wet, until this happened. It's shocking. No need for that at all — so many people. This was supposed to be the best day of their lives. And then this happens.'
Lindsay Millar, a former Ulster Unionist mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, also attended the victory parade with her friends and loved ones.
Speaking from Liverpool on Tuesday, she praised the city and football club for its sense of community and support in the aftermath of the news.
'The feeling around the parade was really positive despite the pouring rain,' she told the Belfast Telegraph.
'We were standing near the end of the parade route, so when it finished we started to disperse. It was only as we were leaving we became aware of the incident. Everyone around us was of course very shocked to hear it had happened.
'With nearly everyone being in Liverpool FC clothing, there was a real spirit of solidarity, with people saying 'Wasn't that dreadful?' to each other.
'It was similar for the rest of the night. Before even mentioning Liverpool's win or celebrations, everyone was just checking in with each other. Liverpool is such a friendly city and there has been so much camaraderie around the whole situation.
'Obviously, very quickly fake news began to spread as well. Within half an hour of everything happening, we had heard that three people had died. But thankfully we know that's not the case.
'I think that's why the police were so quick to put out a statement about someone being arrested and how many people were badly injured.
'From being in the city so far, it's what everyone has been talking about. It's so awful that it happened.'
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: 'It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance onto Water Street after the roadblock was temporarily lifted so that the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a heart attack.
'There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place.'
Ms Sims defended the policing operation during the parade, telling reporters that the force planned for 'all contingencies', including road closures and an armed police presence.
It followed the city's metro mayor Steve Rotheram's comments that the vehicle should not have been on the street and that questions about how the car was able to enter the road were 'legitimate'.
Providing an update on the investigation, Ms Jaundrill said the suspect, from the West Derby area of Liverpool, remains in custody and is being interviewed by officers.
Probe into whether Liverpool driver tailgated ambulance before parade horror
Jack Trotter, from Newtownards, and his girlfriend Abbie Gallagher were both hit by the car as it drove into fans on Monday evening.
Mr Trotter has since been discharged from hospital. He posted on social media shortly afterwards, describing the events as 'crazy'.
'I'm writing this because I've got a million texts asking if I'm OK and it's crazy over here. I've barely any service,' he said.
'The parade was going unreal until the very end. Unfortunately I was hit. However, I'm extremely lucky as I dodged the car just in time, [but] still got hit.
'In absolute shock [over] how an event like this can turn [into] such a tragedy.'
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